Moita Candidates Clash Over Housing Policy in Pre-Election Debate
A debate among mayoral candidates in Moita, a key municipality in the Lisbon metropolitan area, has placed housing policy at the forefront of the local electoral campaign. The discussion, held last Thursday at the municipal library, revealed significant divisions in strategy for tackling the region's housing shortage, with proposals ranging from major public construction initiatives to market regulation and the rehabilitation of existing properties. The outcome of the election is poised to have a direct impact on urban development and housing availability in the area.
The event, organized by the newspaper O SETUBALENSE, brought together the heads of all major party lists to outline their visions for the municipality's future. Carlos Albino, representing the incumbent Socialist Party (PS), detailed the current administration's efforts, which include establishing an affordable rent framework and renovating the existing building stock. He also reported that the municipality is actively lobbying the state's Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU) to gain control over vacant properties to convert them into public housing. This approach focuses on leveraging existing assets to address immediate needs.
In contrast, Joaquim Raminhos of the Left Bloc (BE) described the housing situation as a state of 'inertia' that has been allowed to persist for too long. He argued for a fundamental reassessment of public investment in housing, stating that the municipality is 'delayed' and that its housing department is 'highly deficient.' His position calls for a more aggressive and urgent public intervention to correct what he sees as a market failure. This sentiment was echoed by a focus on the need for direct government action to increase the housing supply for residents.
Alfredo Vieira, the candidate for Chega, presented a plan centered on constructing new housing aimed at the middle class as well as for social support programs. He indicated that his administration would seek funding from the European Investment Bank to finance these projects and would utilize a 'right of option' legal mechanism to secure properties for primary residences, addressing the current scarcity. This strategy suggests a focus on new builds as the primary solution to the housing deficit.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) candidate, Joaquim Conceição, called for a 'pragmatic' path forward, advocating for new construction designed to 'attract different people' to the municipality. He also proposed tax incentives for young residents and floated the idea of the municipality acting as a master tenant to help stabilize the rental market, a novel approach for the region. This plan combines supply-side incentives with a direct intervention in the rental sector.
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João Pedro Figueiredo of the CDU coalition emphasized his party's historical role in developing Moita's municipal housing. His platform includes expanding the public housing supply, retrofitting homes to accommodate residents with special needs, and formally implementing the Local Housing Strategy, which would guide future development in coordination with the IHRU. This continues a long-standing policy focus on state-led housing solutions.
The debate also featured proposals from smaller parties. António Arantes of the ADN pledged to conduct a comprehensive audit of all housing-related investments made over the past 45 years, ensuring accountability and committing to provide 'dignified housing' for every resident. Meanwhile, the CDS-PP candidate, Ivo Pedaço, outlined a multi-pronged strategy that includes rehabilitating existing buildings, compiling a formal registry of vacant properties, and implementing policies for sustainable market growth and direct social support for housing.
The discussion highlighted the critical role that housing will play in the upcoming municipal election. The diverse proposals reflect a broader national conversation about the government's role in the property market. The policies ultimately adopted by the next municipal government in Moita could influence development regulations, the availability of affordable rental units, and the overall direction of the local real estate market, making the election a significant event for residents and property investors in the Lisbon region.
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